Utility cover



Patented Feb. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UTILITY COVER George Wormull, Bergenfield, N. J.

Application July 4, 1945, Serial No. 603,200

4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a utility cover.

More particularly the invention proposes a new and improved utility cover for a jar and the like, but the cover is equally adapted for use on other containers, such as milk bottles, for example.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide a cover of the general class referred to which is easy to keep clean and sanitary and which is capable of protecting the contents of jars, bottles and the like against dust, germs, or odors.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a new and improved cover of the class referred to which is easy toapply to a jar, bottle or the like and easy to remove from such container.

It is still further object of this invention to provide a cover of the type specified which is practically unbreakable and indestructible in service and which may be re-used as a closure member as long as desired.

A further object of this invention is to provide new and improved covers of the type mentioned which may be manufactured and sold in large volume at low cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the various objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing in which the novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a jar provided with a utility cover constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 represents a plan or top view of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View of the jar shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary plan view looking in the direction of the arrows on the line i4 of Fig. 3, but with the cover in locked position.

The new and improved utility cover in accordance with the present invention is shown on the drawing applied to a jar 25. The utility cover includes a member 24 having a reinforced top wall 26 for extending over the open top of the jar 25 and extending slightly into the top portion of the jar for assisting in closing the jar. Member 24 which may consist of any suitable material such as thermoplastic or thermo-setting resin or a metal or an alloy, is provided with a skirt wall 2'! which may be flexible and which engages about the top portion of the jar 25. A grip band 28 is mounted around the bottom poron the top portion of the member 2 5 and projecting slightly over the recess which receives the plug-like member 30 The plug-like member 39 is formed with slots 34 which may be aligned with the ribs 33, see Fig. 2, so that the plug-like member. 3! may be lifted up and removed. Adjacent each of the slots t' i'there is an inclined cam ridge 35. These cam ridges have shallow portions'36 adjacent the slots 34 and high portions 3! remote from the slots 64.

The operation of the invention is as follows: The cover may be used to seal bottles, jars and other containers. The plug-like member 39 is very useful for better sealing the utility cover on a jar. The plug-like member 35 may be removed by turning it a small distance so that the camlike ridges disengage from the bottoms of the ribs 33 and the slots 34 align with the ribs 33.

Now the plug-like member 39 is free to be lifted up and removed. It may be replaced when desired. When it is turned, the high ends 3'! of the ridge-like cams 35 engage beneath the ribs 33 which forces the plug-like member 353 tightly down so that the tapered portion 3i presses against the tapered wall of the thermoplastic member 24, slightly spreading and expanding member 24 so that it securely engages against the inner face of the top opening of the jar 25, or other container upon which the cover is used. The center of the plug-like member 33 is formed with a projecting handle 38 by which the pluglike member may be gripped to facilitate turning the same.

While the utility cover is shown on the drawing applied to a jar, as previously indicated, the utility cover is equally adapted for use on milk bottles and other containers.

While I have illustrated and described the me ferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the we cise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications com- 3 .4 ing within the scope of the invention as defined in portion thereof and the inner portion having ribs the appended claims. projecting inwardly in vertically spaced relation Having thus described my invention, What I to said first-named circular wall, and a circular claim as new, and desire to secure by United plug fitting snugly against said first-named cir- States Letters Patent is: 5 cular Wall and against the inner portion of the 1. A utility cover, comprising a thermoplastic skirt wall and having inclined cam means for inmember having a reinforced top Wall for extendcreasing the pressure of said plug between said ing over the open top of a bottle or jar to be closed, ribs and said first-named circular Wall.

and furthermore having askirt wallforsengaging- 4.;The construction set forth in claim 3, the

about the top portion of said bottle or jar,'a plugplug having radial slots to receive the ribs to perlike member having tapered sides set into a commit the detachment of the plug.

plementary opening in the top of said member; I

and means for clamping said plug-like member, GEORGE WORMULL.

tightly in said opening including ribs projecting from said thermoplastic member and-extending REFERENCES CITED over said recess for said plug-likemember,'.said plug-like member being provided with slots alignable with said ribs so that the plug-like member .Theffollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

may be removed, and ridge-like cams on said UNITED STATES PATENTS plug-like member adjacentsaid slots and engage- Name .1; Batable against the; bottom edges ofsaid ribs -g 138,833 Adam lgg: i i May' 13, 1873 2.,A c ver i 1 f od c n s. mp n an 711,430 Leuthesser 1 Oct. 14, 1902 outer skirt wall adapted to enclose the Wall of 315,954: Gilbert Mar.-'27, 1906 the container; anda horizontal wall connecte t 850,844: Morgan Apr.- 16} 1907" said outer-skirt walhsaid connection being by 91 09 5 3 'J11ne 16, 1903* an,integral.U-shaped portionwvhich straddl s 911,099 Whitson Feb. 251909 the ppe d e of e on ner wall, saidro 1,093,211 Schulhofi- Apr; 14,1914 tion .being formed with inwardly ;-extending=ribs 1,142,427 1 2' Ju 3, 1915 spaced outwardly fromsaid horizontal wall, and 15% 159 w p Ji l -14; 1925" a disk-like plug snu ly fi e against said hori- 1,882,996 Scofield 'O'ct.18,1932 zontal vall and the. inner wallet Said U-ShaDed 1,905,356. WBSt L Apr. 25, 193?;- pcrtionand provided with-a slot-to receive each 1,939 162; Egkard" Oct,- 10,1933 inwardly extending. rib and a cam inclined por- 2,999 55 Fgmgren Nov.'-16, 193? tion adjacent each slot-adapted to be turned 2,294,2 0 Wheaten et a1.- Aug. 25, 1942 under said ribs to tighten saidplug insaid cover,

said plug having a central upstanding handle for FOREIGN BATENTS turning th me, a I, I Number *Country 1 Date F 31A cover for-food containers cemprisingaa 114,199- Australia" Nov. 20,1941 circular wall having on its outermost edge-av 278,798 Great Britain-L -Oct.'13, 1927 U-shaped circular skirt wall adapted to straddle-.40 17,956 Great Britain s --At D1896 the vertical wallcf a container, the outer portion 415,159 Great Britain -Aug;23,--1934 of said skirt wall being longer than the inner 194,165 Switzerland Feb. 1, 1938 

